Orange Grove is a model for care and other letters to the editors

May 4th, 2014 in Opinion Letters

Orange Grove is a model for care

A recent article regarding expensive solutions for serving people with intellectual disabilities limited its focus to state and federal funding and legal battles that shaped the system. The promising news is that community organizations like Orange Grove Center have addressed hardships for citizens with intellectual disabilities long before the state, the federal government or the court system noticed the need. Orange Grove was established in 1953 when Tennessee did not have a community-funded service. Orange Grove led the way in establishing a statewide service that leverages community investment with state and federal funds to provide the most economical and practical approach to serving our most vulnerable citizens. Today, Orange Grove is one of the most cost-efficient models of community services for those on the broad spectrum of developmental disabilities in the nation. With scholarship funds for people without funding and advocacy for those on bureaucratic waiting lists, Orange Grove successfully partners with the city, Hamilton County, United Way of Greater Chattanooga and surrounding counties in providing person-centered and practical modalities of care.

- KYLE HAUTH

Appreciating the Scenic City

I've lived in Chattanooga many years. In spring, I visit the Barn Nursery, and each year it is always upgraded and improved. This spring was spectacular with paved walk areas and more covered spaces. The plants are unequaled. It is truly delightful to experience. I have been privileged to attend symphony performances at the beautiful Tivoli. The restorations of some of the old buildings are wonderful - just seeing them come back to life. Recently, Shallowford Road was completed to Jenkins. With nice smooth pavement, storage lanes and sidewalks, it is pleasant to drive. Besides bridges, mountains, rivers and trains, there is much to appreciate in my home town.

JEAN HOLT

Fleenor deserves your vote

I am writing in support of Pam McNutt Fleenor for Chancellor, Part 1. I have known Pam professionally and personally since the mid-1980s and have seen the manner in which Pam has comported herself with clients, opposing counsel and judges. Pam exemplifies professionalism and advocacy. She is by far the most qualified person for the position of chancellor, Part I based on her actual experience and behavior in Chancery Court. May I also set forth the following for consideration: Chattanooga lawyers preferred Pam almost three to one over her opponent in the bar poll. Pam is the only candidate for chancellor who has the endorsement of retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Mickey Barker. Pam is the only candidate for Chancellor who has the endorsement of former County Mayor Claude Ramsey, a staunch conservative Republican. Pam also has the editorial endorsement of both the Chattanooga Times and Free Press. I urge you to vote for Pam as she is the most qualified based on the above.

BAMBI L. HATCHER, Hixson

Wage fallacy doesn't compute

I would like to thank your cartoonist, Mr. Clay Bennett, for his contribution in the April 16 edition about Mrs. Goodbar. His offering illustrates a long and deeply held injustice with the economy. I am assuming he is pointing out that Mr. Goodbar is exactly the same as Mrs. Goodbar, except that Mrs. Goodbar costs less. Also, I am assuming that he is correlating this with the notion that women doing equal work as men are only paid 77 percent as much. Assuming all things being equal with the candy bars except price and all things being equal with labor except price, my question would be why would anyone buy a Mr. Goodbar or hire a man in the first place. That is, until the others have been sold out. The Mrs. Goodbars and the female work force should be highly sought-after while their counterparts are left "on the shelf." This 77 percent fallacy does not pass the economic sniff test. All things being equal, I will choose the less expensive every time.

DWAYNE CORVIN, Pikeville, Tenn.

Manuel for chancellor

We are voting for Joe Manuel for chancellor. We have known Joe several years, meeting him first at the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club, where he served as president. He served during a time when he had to find a new space for our weekly meetings and he guided us through that turmoil to a very satisfactory location that he referred to as "Our House," and that name has stayed. We have seen Joe preside at the weekly meetings, being sure all speakers and/or candidates had equal time to express their views. We have witnessed his compassion and concern for his clients, especially helping an elderly lady downsize her possessions by taking her antiques to several stores to be purchased for resale. Joe has strong values, and he possesses the temperament to be chancellor along with knowledge of the law. He has many years' experience as a mediator and arbitrator. We trust Joe Manuel to avoid emotional decisions and to apply the law to guide him to the most appropriate outcome. Join us in voting for Joe Manuel for chancellor.

LUANNE and MONTY DeWITT

Vote Epperson for register of deeds

I have known Ryan Epperson approximately nine years. He has served this county as a member of the Army National Guard and has been serving the citizens of this county for years as a member of the Hamilton County sheriff's office. He has the ability and knowledge to be a successful register of deeds. He has told me and others he would seek to better equip the office with technology that would save the taxpayers money while allowing the staff to be more effective and efficient. He has promised to make sure that the register's office is implementing countywide personnel policies and has promised no discrimination will take place under his watch. Ryan Epperson is by far the best candidate and deserves your vote. Please join me in voting for Ryan Epperson for register of deeds.

DANIEL GRAMLING

Please save the hemlocks

One of the major ecological concerns of our century is deforestation. It occurs in places like the Congo and Amazon as well as in the Pacific Northwest, where millions of acres of clear cuts scar the landscape. But did you know there is deforestation occurring here in the Tennessee Valley on an unprecedented scale? Not only are far too many acres of forest and hillsides falling to traffic-inducing suburban development, but we also are losing much of the biodiversity within our forests. A major loss continues to be the eastern hemlock, which is falling prey to an insect accidentally introduced to the United States called the hemlock woolly adelgid. At several colleges in the Southeast (including UT Knoxville), there are labs that are rearing beetles to prey on the adelgid to help restore our hemlock stands. I would like to see Chattanooga-area colleges and universities start their own beetle labs so we do not lose this wonderful tree that graces and protects many a waterfall and stream bank among the Cumberland Mountains.

WILL LANCE, Hixson

Front page skips Easter?

What a disappointment to see the Sunday, April 20, front page highlighting technology, the mayor, and the union and ignoring what millions consider the pivotal day in all of human history. Not a word! What a telling indication of what you at the paper consider vital and important. I feel certain I am not alone in noticing and lamenting this huge blunder. Thanks though, to Mallard Fillmore, my favorite duck, for his astute observation in the Sunday comics. He noted, "For God so loved the world, he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." Thanks, Mallard!